The Minnesota Timberwolves are kicking off their season-ticket renewal program for 2013-14 with five new membership levels and the promise of a 10 percent refund on all purchases if the team does not qualify for the NBA playoffs this season.

The Wolves (16-19) are in 10th place in the Western Conference playoff race and trail Portland and Utah in the battle for the eighth and final playoff position.

“We needed to put some skin in the game for our membership,” Wolves president Chris Wright said Wednesday morning, Jan. 16. “This discount is something we discussed months ago. And if we don’t fulfill our goal of making the playoffs, for whatever reason, we still want to do it.”

Current Wolves season-ticket holders will have until Feb. 18 to renew. Fans interested in becoming season-ticket holders will be able to make purchases beginning March 4. The Wolves are offering several payment plans, including an option of 12 monthly installments. Current and potential members can get purchasing information at 612-673-1234 or on the team’s website, timberwolves.com.

The Wolves have approximately 10,000 season-ticket holders, the club’s highest total since 2004-05. Through 15 home games this season, the team is averaging 17,169 in home attendance, up from an average of 16,898 through 15 games last season. For the Wolves’ Dec. 26 game against Houston, the club drew the third-largest crowd in Target Center history with 20,340 fans.

Among the features in the new campaign is the creation of membership levels titled President’s Club, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum and Gold. The levels are available only to current season-ticket holders who plan to renew.

Based on the membership level purchased, the benefits include early arena entrance, dedicated concession lines, discounted parking and a 20 percent discount at the Wolves Pro Shop.

Price increases in season-ticket plans range from 1.1 percent to 21.7 percent. Pricing for two categories remained the same from last season, and prices in two other categories were decreased by 22.3 percent and 33.4 percent.

The Wolves will continue to offer more than 1,000 season tickets on the lower level, starting at $20 per game.

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